New COVID ‘FLiRT’ Variants Show Virus Isn’t Going Away

The emergence of new COVID-19 variants, dubbed "FLiRT," underscores the persistent threat of the virus despite declining cases and relaxed pandemic measures. While current variants like KP.2 and JN.1 haven't shown increased severity, the evolving nature of SARS-CoV-2 prompts uncertainty about future mutations.

 Vaccines remain effective, but monitoring is crucial as variants like KP.2 become dominant, comprising nearly a quarter of infections. As hospital reporting requirements ease, ongoing vigilance is vital. Infectious disease experts stress that these variants are subvariants of omicron, emphasizing the need for continued public health measures. Learn more about the FLiRT variants and their implications in this article from The Hill.